Ornithogalum plant named &#39;BCOR-12.001&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jasq. named ‘BCOR-12.001’ originated as a controlled cross between the commercial cultivar  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jasq. ‘Beth’ and a variety known as  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jasq. ‘10.1’. The cultivar ‘BCOR-12.001’ has R.H.S. 155 B (white group) tepals at maturity and is distinguished from other similar cultivars of which the inventor is aware by its short racemes, wide leaves and suitability for growth in pots.

Botanical classification: Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. ‘BCOR-12.001’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCOR-12.001’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Lilaceaefamily. The botanical name of the plant is Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.‘BCOR-12.001’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween a variety known to the inventor as Ornithogalum thyrsoides‘10.1’ and a variety known as Ornithogalum thyrsoides ‘Beth’. ‘10.1’ wasthe seed parent. ‘10.1’ is the progeny of the commercial variety ‘BockBay’.

The new variety was first noticed, because of its erect and shortracemes.

TABLE 1 New ‘Chesapeake Variety Snowflake’ ‘Chesapeake ‘Damascus’ ‘BCOR-USPP 13,200 Starlight’ USPP 21,448 12.001’ (seed parent) USPP 12,850Rachis/Raceme 40 cm 20-25 cm 20-30 cm 55-60 cm height Rachis colorR.H.S. 146B R.H.S. 147B Unknown Unknown Reflexed leaves Yes Yes UnknownUnknown Leaf color both R.H.S. 147B R.H.S. 147B R.H.S. 143B R.H.S. 143Bsides Floret diameter 65 mm 35 mm 50-60 mm 35-40 mm Tepal height 28 mm18 mm 20-25 mm 20 mm Tepal Color R.H.S. 155A R.H.S. 155D R.H.S. R.H.S.155A-D 155A-D Tepal Spot R.H.S. 152B R.H.S. 152B R.H.S. 147A R.H.S. 152AColor

The new cultivar ‘BCOR-12.001’ has been asexually reproduced undercontrolled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay,Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishingcharacteristics remaining stable.

‘BCOR-12.001’ is distinguished from other Ornithogalum thyrsoidesvarieties of which the inventor is aware by its short, upright racemesand its suitability for growth in pots.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in a nursery at Half Moon Bay,Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor ‘BCOR-12.001’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the new variety showing its form, upright growthhabit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and non-pigmented tepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inflorescence of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the inflorescence of the new variety,showing opened florets, and opening florets.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a number of inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a view of the base of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures were grown in 3″ pots and were ready forcommercial sale. Plants were grown from bulbs. Three bulbs were placedin each pot. Bulbs are tunicate and R.H.S. 155D (white group).

‘BCOR-12.001’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Colordeterminations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart.

-   The plant:    -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. Parents. — Ornithogalum thyrsoides            Jasq. ‘10.1’ and Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. “Beth”            Botanic Classification. — Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.            ‘BCOR-12.001’.        -   Form.—Dwarf plant with spreading basal leaves with upright            inflorescences on short rachis. A typical plant with a            mature inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately            21 cm high when grown in a 3″ pot with appropriate soil            amendments.        -   Growth.—Upright rachis with spreading leaves. Inflorescence            is large and showy. Bulbs are tunicate.        -   Rachis.—The rachis is upright and glaucescent. Its color is            R.H.S. 147 B (yellow-green group). Diameter — 7mm at base            and 5 mm at top. Length to first floret and bract pair            variable 5-7 cm.        -   Foliage.—Leaves alternate at base of stem, growing alongside            rachis. Shape of leaf. — Fleshy, varying from channeled to            flat, lanceolate. Margins are entire. Apex acute. Texture. —            Glaucescent. Color. — Mature leaves are R.H.S. 147B            (yellow-green group) on both sides. Large leaves are 9 cm            long and 2.5 cm wide (at widest).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Corymbose racemes. Indeterminate. Approximately 25 to            30 individual flowers (florets) per inflorescence on            pedicels that elongate as the florets opens, and on average            are as long as 20 mm for mature florets. Flowers do not            produce a fragrance. Young flowers are predominantly white —            R.H.S. 155D (yellow-white group), 15 mm tall and have a            diameter of 7 mm. The rachis for the inflorescence is strong            and upright. The pedicels are predominately green — R.H.S.            144 B (yellow-green group) at maturity and glabrous. Buds            are hidden by bracts.        -   Size of inflorescence.—A typical glabrous inflorescence            shown in the figures of flowers at prime state for            ornamentals can be as large as 7 cm in diameter, and 6 cm            high.        -   Shape.—Basal florets opening first with pedicels that            elongate that give the raceme a corymbose appearance as the            inflorescence ages.        -   Appearance.—Showy.-   Florets:    -   -   General.—The florets at the base of the inflorescence open            first, and open more and more as the inflorescence ages.            Florets are perfect and complete. Perianth is not keeled.            Perianth can be highly reflexed. Each floret is associated            with a bract that continually elongates and can be as long            as 16 mm when flower is at its prime and is same color as            pedicel — R.H.S. 144 B (yellow-green group). The bracts are            lanceolate with narrowly acute apexes and are approximately            10 mm wide at their base. Perianth: There are 6 ovate tepals            that are spotted at their base on both their abaxial and            adaxial surfaces — R.H.S. 152 B (yellow-green group), but            are predominately white on both their abaxial and adaxial            surfaces — R.H.S. 155 D (white group) with the mid-vein            showing on the abaxial surface. Floret diameter: 35 mm.            Tepals of mature florets are typically 18 mm high, 10 mm            wide at the widest and 4 mm wide at their attachment, and            the spotted base is approximately 3 mm high and extends the            width of the tepal at the base. Apex shape of the tepal is            abruptly acuminate.        -   Stamens.—6 stamens (two sets of 3). Pollen is R.H.S. 17 A            (yellow-orange group). Plant produces abundant pollen.            Filament is flattened with translucent wings, alternate            filaments have more prominent wings. Filament is 1 mm wide            at base and 5 mm high. Filament is 2 mm at its widest point.            Anther is 2 mm high and basally attached. Filament is R.H.S.            155 B (white group). Anther is R.H.S. 146 B (yellow-green            group) before opening to reveal pollen.        -   Stigma.—Generally, a three-pronged stigma on one pistil per            floret. The style is 1 mm long. The stigma is approximately            1 mm long. Style is 152 C (yellow-green group) and stigma is            R.H.S. 155 B (white group).        -   Ovary.—The ovary is three-celled with axile placentae. The            base of the ovary is R.H.S. 152 C (yellow-green group) and            the top of the ovary is R.H.S. 200 B (brown group). The            ovary is 5 mm high and has a diameter of 3 mm.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Ornithogalum plant named ‘BCOR-12.001’substantially as herein shown and described.